1,380 arrests for breaches of lockdown restrictions [1]
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - 19:05
Police have arrested and charged a total of 3,023 people to date, since the start of the Police COVID19 Operation on March 28, when the State of Emergency was declared in Tonga.
This included 1,380 arrests for breaches of the National Emergency Lockdown Notice and the Restriction Notice (1,330 for failure to comply with curfew direction and 50 for obstruction of authorized officers (police, defence). It also included:
- 555 arrests for drunkeness in public places,
- 313 domestic violence cases (a majority were issued with a Police Safety Order),
- 122 arrests for possession of illicit drugs,
- 102 arrest warrants,
- 81 housebreaking and theft and other minor arrests.
Acting Deputy Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau said today their mission is to support Government, our Ministry of Health in keeping citizens well and safe.
“We do that by educating the people but when that approach falls on deaf ears, we will enforce the full extent of the law in this National Health Emergency.”
A Special Operation was held last Friday night October 2 from 10:00pm to 6:00am Saturday October 3 with the target to enforce curfew conditions and amendments to the Traffic Act, and resulted in the arrests of 59 people, mainly for failure to comply with directions.
He said, Police noticed that some of the curfew conditions were being abused by those who were granted approval to work during the curfew hours.
A majority of the issues arises during this operation were alcohol related.
“We thank particularly the great support that we have received from the Community Patrol Volunteers.”
Police urge people to respect the law, and respect the officers as they go about their duty.
“This is a difficult time, but we need the public to follow instructions and comply with directions. People need to stay home during the curfew hours. We take the prevention of COVID 19 seriously. We ask others to do the same. The curfews will continue to be enforced strongly,” he said.